India seeks Japan's technological help to boost its nuclear-power output

Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) President Akio Takahashi issued a statement late last week on an anticipated nuclear agreement between Japan and India.

Takahashi said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Decenber to discuss a possible nuclear-cooperation agreement between the two countries. In 2014, both countries agreed to the Tokyo Declaration for a Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which called for strengthening relations in many areas.

India plans to increase nuclear capacity nationally to approximately 63,000 megawatts by 2032. Currently, the country has 21 working reactors producing approximately 5,780 megawatts of capacity. Through a partnership with Japan, India aims to bring in Japanese technological experience to help it build light-water reactors (LWR).

“We, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, continue our efforts to resolve common issues, including safety improvements, and to contribute to international development of the Japanese industry through bilateral and multi-national cooperation – making a contribution to the world with Japan’s nuclear technology,” Takahashi said.

Takahashi said further collaboration between Japan and India is expected to bring benefits to both nations and likely will further stability and development in Asia.